Man arrested for assault on a police officer

Midland Reporter-Telegram

Published 5:00 pm, Wednesday, October 8, 2014

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James M. Cunningham, 63, of Midland was charged Oct. 7 with a third-degree felony charge of assault on a public servant and a class B misdemeanor charge of interfering with public duties.Cunningham allegedly interfered with an officer’s duties and assaulted an officer, according to court documents.If convicted, Cunningham faces up to 10 years in prison. less

James M. Cunningham, 63, of Midland was charged Oct. 7 with a third-degree felony charge of assault on a public servant and a class B misdemeanor charge of interfering with public duties.Cunningham allegedly ... more

Man arrested for assault on a police officer

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A 63-year-old Midland man was arrested Tuesday for allegedly punching a police officer in the face and interfering with an animal control officer’s duties, according to court documents.

James M. Cunningham was being held Tuesday on a $10,500 bond for a third-degree felony charge of assault on a public servant and a class B misdemeanor charge of interfering with public duties. He posted bond and was released Wednesday.

A Midland police officer responded at about 8:50 p.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of West Kansas Avenue to help an animal control officer with a disturbance.

The animal control officer said that a female resident was harassing him as he was performing his duties. The police officer who arrived on the scene went to speak with the woman, who was yelling at the animal control officer regarding her pets. At one point, Cunningham came outside of the house and started getting aggressive with the officer, according to the arrest affidavit.

The officer attempted to arrest Cunningham for interfering. When the officer grabbed Cunningham to detain him, Cunningham ripped off the officer’s portable radio. A physical struggle ensued and Cunningham hit the officer in the face, according to the affidavit.

The officer punched Cunningham in the face before detaining him, according to the affidavit.

The woman began lying on top of Cunningham following the struggle, and the animal control officer had to help get her up. As Cunningham was moved to the patrol vehicle, he was cursing at the officer: “You’re (expletive). I’m a lawyer,” according to the affidavit.

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The affidavit does not detail why the animal control officer was at that area.